Prep your home for sale: 6 Easy steps

When you’re trying to sell a big-ticket item like your home, you want to do everything possible to ensure you get top dollar. Linda Crisolo, senior manager of merchandising for art.com — the leading authority on wall art — has the following suggestions if you’re trying to prepare your home for sale.

De-personalise your home

De-personalise every room by doing simple things, like removing family photographs and personal trinkets. Potential buyers need to visualise themselves living in your house, and they will have a much easier time doing this if your personal mementos and snapshots are not plastered all over the walls and shelves.

Declutter your space

If you want to showcase your home in the best possible light, clean out as much clutter as possible — including any closets and cupboards [prospective buyers will open the doors for a sticky beak!]. Also, clear off the kitchen counters and keep benchtops free of paperwork, keys and personal debris.

Clean and tidy

No-one will be able to visualise themselves in your home if it’s dirty! Make sure every room is sparkly clean from floor to ceiling, especially the windows!

Aim for hotel finishes

Give every bedroom and bathroom the hotel look with freshly-made beds and new towels, with a few pillows thrown on the bed to complete the polished look.

Fresh coat of paint

For a relatively inexpensive upgrade that can hugely impact the overall look of your home, consider giving your walls a fresh coat of paint. Opt for a neutral colour so it appeals to the widest possible range of buyers.

Hang neutral artwork

Hang professionally framed, neutral yet striking artwork on the walls. If you’re unsure of what type of art to hang, visit Art.com’s Shop by Décor section for inspiration.